Presidential Proclamation—Emergency Medical Services Week, 2013 The White House Office of the Press Secretary

The White House issued a press release yesterday that we wanted to share with you:
Presidential Proclamation—Emergency Medical Services Week, 2013 The White House Office of the Press Secretary
Created: May 19, 2013

A PROCLAMATION
In every corner of our country, emergency medical services (EMS) practitioners are hard at work delivering hope and care to Americans in dire circumstances. In the face of chaos and tragedy, their steady hands provide vital, life-saving services, and their calm under pressure delivers comfort to neighbors in need. During Emergency Medical Services Week, we pause to offer our gratitude to these remarkable men and women, whose dedication is fundamental to our society's well-being.
In recent weeks, we have again seen the critical role EMS professionals play in times of crisis. When explosives went off at the Boston Marathon, EMS personnel rushed toward the blasts and, with selfless disregard for their own safety, immediately tended to the injured. Alongside countless volunteers and ordinary citizens, they demonstrated the very best of the American spirit -- a spirit that EMS professionals display every day. My Administration remains dedicated to providing these courageous first responders, emergency medical technicians, 911 dispatchers, law enforcement officers, volunteers, and others throughout our health care system with the support they need to aid the American people in their darkest hours.
When Americans find themselves in times of crisis—from car accidents to national tragedies—our robust network of EMS professionals ensures that quality medical care is only moments away. This week, let us recommit to supporting EMS personnel and thanking them for their heroic contributions to our lives.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 19 through May 25, 2013, as Emergency Medical Services Week. I encourage all Americans to observe this occasion by sharing their support with their local EMS providers and taking steps to improve their personal safety and preparedness.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.
BARACK OBAMA

We thank you again for your courage and amazing service. Continue to stay safe.

Hope Gottlieb
Senior Public Safety Specialist
Jones and Bartlett Learning
5 Wall Street
Burlington, MA 01803
800-526-1529 (Eastern) Direct
914-420-5828  Cell
Corporate Fax: 978-443-8000
Order Dept.: 800-832-0034 ext 8197 (or press 2) For tech contact:  support@jblearning.com or call 1-800-83

Pickleball Play.

 Pickleball Play. There will be organized pickleball play at the Old Schoolhouse tennis courts every Tuesday and Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. this spring and summer. All levels of ability from beginner up are welcome.  For additional information, contact Rich Young or Shari Jones at 884-6467. 

Welcome

The following sign once stood over the ferry landing on the Anderson Island. It can now be found on the Johnson Farm museum.

Submission and Ad information Island Sounder

For complete information on submissions and advertising, please see the following link submissions and ads

New transportation program offered by County

Pierce County Community Connections (PCCC) offers a free transportation program called “Beyond the Borders” for kids, seniors and people with disabilities in some parts of Pierce County that are not served by Pierce Transit. Unfortunately, the program does not currently receive funding to provide services on Anderson Island. That might change if islanders who need such a service let the County know. There is a Transportation Survey available on this website. Please spread the word to your neighbors who might need the program. http://www.piercecountyrides.com/

 

Thanks to Ann Dasch for this bulletin.

 

Peak season Pierce County ferry rates now in effect

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 26, 2013

Peak season Pierce County ferry rates, schedule start May 1

Peak season on the Pierce County ferry will bring changes to fare rates and the schedule. Peak season runs May 1 to September 30. Fare rates Peak season fares start May 1 for Pierce County ferry passengers that drive a vehicle or motorcycle onto the ferry. Walk-on passenger rates are the same year-round, and bicycles can be walked on at no extra cost. Riders will not be able to use non-peak season tickets once peak season begins. Passengers driving vehicles 21 feet in length or less will see their rates increase from the non-peak season rate of $16.80 to the peak season rate of $21, while passengers driving motorcycles will see an increase from $9.05 to $11.30. Rates for seniors or disabled drivers will increase from $14 to $17.55. The five-trip commuter pass for vehicles 21 feet in length or less remains at $67.15, while the five-trip pass for motorcycle commuters remains at $36.10. Schedule changes During peak season, the Thursday run leaving Steilacoom at 8:40 p.m. does not operate. Similarly, the runs leaving Anderson Island at 9:10 p.m. and Ketron Island at 9:30 p.m. do not operate. These runs were added to the schedule in 2013 primarily to accommodate those attending school events. During peak season, a later run is added on Sunday nights to accommodate summer visitors. The run departs Steilacoom at 10 p.m.; Anderson Island at 10:30 p.m.; and Ketron Island at 10:50 p.m. The non-peak season run departing Ketron Island on Sundays at 9:30 p.m. will be replaced by the 10:50 p.m. run. On Fridays from July 1 through Labor Day, the last trip of the day will run one hour later. This means the 10 p.m. departure from Steilacoom will shift to 11 p.m.; the 10:30 p.m. departure from Anderson Island will change to 11:30 p.m.; and the 10:50 p.m. departure from Ketron Island will shift to 11:50 p.m. The schedule will change Memorial Day, July 3-4, and Labor Day to accommodate holiday travelers. The Pierce County Ferry System provides service between the town of Steilacoom, Anderson Island and Ketron Island. Visit www.piercecountywa.org/ferry for the ferry schedule and a full list of vehicle and motorcycle fares.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Deb Wallace, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities airport and ferry administrator (360) 909-8198 deb.wallace@co.pierce.wa.us Anne Radford, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities public information officer (253) 798-2464 aradfor@co.pierce.wa.us

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All in the Same Boat

The ferry is our lifeline to the mainland. Young, old, rich or poor, we depend on it.

New websites boost Pierce County’s online services

News Release

www.piercecountywa.org

www.twitter.com/pierceco

New websites boost Pierce County’s online services

Pierce County launched a major redesign of three websites on Thursday, Nov. 15, that significantly upgrades the public's ability to stay informed about programs and services. The sites offer new tools and features that improve the user experience, including the ability to sign up for email or text message updates. The sites also were reorganized to make it easier for users to quickly find relevant information. The biggest redesign involved the county's main site, www.piercecountywa.org. A team of county employees representing a cross-section of departments evaluated the needs of the county's content management system and website, which logs 3 million unique visitors, 9 million visits and more than 100 million pageviews a year. Here are some highlights from the upgrade to the county’s main site: •        A “How Do I” button provides quick access to common requests from customers. •        The revamped global navigation at the top of the page offers a mix of departments, programs and services in user-friendly categories. •        Contact information is clear and consistent throughout the site. •        The new website offers tools that organize and present information in reader-friendly ways, such as FAQs, Quick Links to other resources, news, etc. This enabled the county to eliminate about 1,000 pages from the current site so users can find content faster. •        The new home page showcases Pierce County’s beauty while promoting important services and programs. New sites for Family Justice Center and Pierce County TV Pierce County also hosts the websites for two affiliated organizations: the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center (www.aplaceofhelp.org) and Pierce County TV (www.piercecountytv.org). Both agencies also switched to the new system and got modern redesigns. Pierce County is contracting with CivicPlus to host the sites. CivicPlus manages websites for more than 1,000 government clients and has demonstrated expertise in the area of online content management for public agencies. The CivicPlus system replaces a 10-year-old system that was built by programmers in Pierce County's Information Technology Department. Pierce County plans to conduct a survey of users around the end of the year. In the meantime, users who have immediate questions or comments can contact pccomments@co.pierce.wa.us.

 

Borrow a fish-friendly car wash kit for your next fundraiser

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 23, 2013

Borrow a fish-friendly car wash kit for your next fundraiser

Car wash fundraisers can be a great way to raise money, but the soap and pollutants that run off the vehicles can be toxic to fish and other aquatic life. Organizations can help keep Puget Sound clean during their next car wash fundraiser by checking out a fish-friendly car wash kit. The kits are available at several Pierce County locations. “These kits are designed to keep soap, oil and other pollutants from entering storm drains and flowing into streams, lakes, rivers, and the Puget Sound,” said Harold Smelt, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities surface water manager. "We encourage organizations to use these kits to help keep our waterways clean.” The kits use a storm drain insert and a pump to send the dirty water to the sewer system or a grassy area where it can be filtered. The kits come with a catch basin insert, submersible pump, garden hose, extension cord, and instructions, as well as a large sign that can be used to identify the car wash as fish-friendly. There is no charge to borrow the kits. For more information and a list of locations that offer the kits, visit www.piercecountywa.org/carwash or contact the Public Works and Utilities Surface Water Management Division at (253) 798-2725.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Tiffany O’Dell, Public Works and Utilities outreach and education coordinator (253) 798-2468 todell@co.pierce.wa.us

District Court now offers self-scheduling for infraction hearings

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 28, 2013

District Court now offers self-scheduling for infraction hearings

People who need to schedule infraction hearings with Pierce County District Court can now do so online without having to wait on the phone or at the public counter. Developed by District Court with support from Pierce County’s Information Technology Department, this application allows people to schedule an infraction hearing or submit a Hearing by Mail statement at their convenience. Previously, customers could schedule a hearing only by mail, telephone or by appearing in person at the court’s public counter. During a soft launch over the past month, 80 people have used the new service. Besides the convenience for the public, the online system also is expected to reduce the substantial traffic at the court's public counter, over the phone and through the mail. In 2012, there were 58,000 infraction citations filed in District Court. Of those, 16,000 resulted in in-court hearings and 6,000 in Hearings by Mail. In addition, the court fielded 81,000 telephone inquiries from citizens, attorneys and other court customers. “Pierce County District Court is very pleased to offer this new way of doing business that makes it easier to access the court’s services. This will benefit everyone involved - the public, the county and the court,” said Presiding Judge Maggie Ross. District Court is the first court of limited jurisdiction in Washington State - and one of the only courts of limited jurisdiction in the country - to introduce this convenient self-scheduling service. "Our IT staff is constantly striving to help improve the delivery of services in ways that are customer friendly and efficient," said Pierce County Information Technology Director Linda Gerull. "Giving people the ability to self-schedule their interaction with the court is a great step forward and helps set the bar for other jurisdictions." The self-scheduler is one of two new online features on the District Court's website. The other is an option to reach the court's customer service staff via an online "Live Chat." Since early January, more than 1,200 people have been served via Live Chat as an alternative to waiting to contact a court representative over the phone or at the public counter. Public reaction to these innovations has been very positive. As one customer expressed it via email: “Please let the 'higher-ups' know how great this option is! ... This is a GREAT alternative. ...Not to mention much more efficient!” District Court can be found at www.piercecountywa.org/distcrt.

MEDIA CONTACT: Chuck Ramey, District Court administrator (253) 798-7788 cramey@co.pierce.wa.us